UTSA to dedicate Roadrunner statue Aug. 27 at Main Campus

(Aug. 26, 2014) -- UTSA will host a special dedication ceremony for its six-foot tall, thousand-pound Roadrunner statue, which has moved to its permanent home in the Central Plaza, directly across from Sombrilla Plaza, on the UTSA Main Campus. The ceremony, scheduled for 4-5 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 27, is an official part of UTSA's annual Roadrunner Days and is open to the public.

The dedication will feature UTSA President Ricardo Romo, leaders from the Student Government Association (S.G.A.) including S.G.A. President Zack Dunn, UTSA Athletics representatives and athletes, and statue artist R.G. Box.

The iron Roadrunner statue had been stationed in the lobby of H-E-B University Center since it arrived on the Main Campus last September, while its permanent home was being prepared.

The statue's journey to UTSA began in late 2010 when several registered student organizations, including the S.G.A. and Sigma Pi Fraternity, came together to explore ways to boost school spirit among students. Their dream was to fund the commission of UTSA’s first-ever roadrunner statue and to create a new university tradition.

Inspired by a conversation with UTSA Associate Athletic Director Jim Goodman, Box spent 1,000 hours working to complete UTSA's giant Roadrunner statue. Box handcrafted the 11-foot-long statue in his forge using fires upward of 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. Each of the statue's 1,000 feathers was hand-sculpted. Since then, Box has been very enthusiastic about the students' efforts to make his work a part of UTSA history.

Bring Rowdy Home, led by students, raised more than $25,000 in less than a month. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and other benefactors from across the country supported the campaign to bring the statue to campus. Student organizations worked closely with administrators in the Student Affairs division and other UTSA staff to make the campaign a success.

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For more information about the Bring Rowdy Home campaign including the full list of donors, visit the Bring Rowdy Home website.

Come out and enjoy breakfast and beverages at the Official UTSA Tailgate in Albuquerque as our Roadrunners take on the New Mexico Lobos at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. The official UTSA tailgate will be located in Fan Fest in the University Stadium Parking Lot, Stadium East.
University Stadium parking lot, Albuquerque, NM

Graduates from the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, College of Business, College of Education and Human Development and the College of Public Policy will participate in the first commencement ceremony. President Romo will deliver the keynote address.
Alamodome

Graduates from the College of Engineering, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, College of Sciences and University College will participate in the second commencement ceremony. President Romo will deliver the keynote address.
Alamodome

All UTSA students, faculty and staff are invited to march with UTSA in the 30th annual MLK March. There will be a FREE shuttle from the UTSA Main Campus. Pick up in front of the Convocation Center at 8:30 a.m. Depart from UTSA at 9 a.m. Buses return to UTSA at 1 p.m
Convocation Center, Main Campus

UTSA's Department of Music hosts Dr. David Huron from Ohio State University as part of the Donald Hodges lecture series. Huron is a Canadian arts and humanities distinguished professor at Ohio State University.
John Peace Library, UTSA Faculty Center, (JPL 4.04.22), Main Campus

The Student Center for Community Engagement and Inclusion annually hosts a Volunteer Opportunities Fair to allow students, faculty and staff to learn about volunteer and service-learning opportunities in the San Antonio area.
University Center, 1st floor corridor, Main Campus

UTSA's Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA's Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA's Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.